Historic street riverside plan revamp approved

An artist's impression shows how the Coney Street Riverside Development will look

Plans to revamp historic buildings on York's waterfront have been approved, despite several objections over the possible impact on the area's heritage.

The proposals for Coney Street, approved by City of York councillors, include a new development featuring shops and student accommodation and the construction of a new riverside walkway.

Concerns had been raised over student access and safety, while York's Georgian Society and the Twentieth Century Society had also objected.

However, Max Reeves, from developers Helmsley Group, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to sensitively and sustainably redevelop historic Coney Street into the social heart of York and reconnect it with its riverfront."

Shop fronts restored

The work, which is due to start in 2026 after being approved by City of York Council's planning committee on Thursday, will see the demolition of the current Boots store on Coney Street and the rear of the WH Smith shop.

Historic shop fronts in Coney Street are also set to be restored, according to the plans.

Meanwhile, student accommodation will be built in the upper floors of the new buildings, which will take in units up to the building which currently houses the Next store.

However, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, some councillors expressed concerns about how the the dropping off and departure of students at the start and the end of the academic year would be managed.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said traffic restrictions on Coney Street meant there would effectively be a two-hour window for students to move, posing significant logistical issues.

Work on the scheme is expected to get under way in 2026, councillors heard

The meeting was told that the plans would realise ambitions held for 50 years to reconnect Coney Street to the River Ouse.

Labour's Conrad Whitcroft and Conservative councillor Chris Steward both said they welcomed the development, but were concerned the riverside location of the public area behind Coney Street posed safety concerns.

Councillor Jonny Crawshaw, the committee's chair, said the scheme would see historic buildings revitalised, while the student accommodation would be a better fit given the development's city centre location.

Flick Williams, a disability rights campaigner, said the work the developers had done regarding access should set a benchmark for future schemes.

Mr Reeves, development manager for the Helmsley Group, said the aim was to create a development that would shape York's future.

Further plans for another part of Coney Street, which also forms part of the development, are set to go before councillors in November.

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